Srinagar, Jan 24: Asking authorities not to muzzle political dissent, pro-freedom leader turned politician and People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone Thursday said that there is a dire need to start a political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the sidelines of a press conference, Sajad Lone said that separatist with a different political ideology should be given space and like mainstream politicians they should also be allowed to organize rallies and conference. “Provide them space and allow them to speak up. Political discourse should be started and political dissent should not be muzzled. This will keep people away from violence,” Lone told news agency CNS.
He said gun and violence can’t solve any problem. “People won’t involve themselves in violence if they will be allowed to express themselves freely. Allow separatist leaders to organize rallies if they wish to do so,” he said.
In response to a question, he said that we should treat others in the same way we treat our own children. “We shouldn’t allow others to indulge in violence. What we think of our own children should be thought about the children of others,” Lone said in an apparent reference to Hurriyat leaders asking them to keep young boys away from violence. (CNS)